The ongoing saga of the bullying push by developers to raise development heights in the CBD highlights that it ‘pays to be pushy’. This is how crony politics works. However, the law of consequences always reveals the genesis of the corrupt process and indeed the eventual outcome.
What is occurring is a perfect example of the denial of democracy. The major actors are excellent in their chosen roles but are morally empty as the resulting tale informs the audience that the drama is tragic, and the dark forces propelling the narrative present as very dangerous to the fabric of any democratic society.
We read that all staff recommendations have been dismissed regarding the development of 33 Lawson Street even as incremental demands of the developer keep surfacing. Farewell the existing LEP. Ignore the democratic rights of the community and the deep concerns of the neighbours.
A puzzling and spurious narrative by Paul Spooner (ALP) demands that market forces be met and upheld; he offers no research confirming the need for more changes to the development DA: it’s a sort of ‘vibe’ thing that reveals that changes must occur to support the development, and of course the beloved market.
This drama does bring us back to the present. The current reality reveals the complexity of the Byron Shire Council.
We return to the quasi reality underlying the drama. Authority figure Mayor Michael assumes the role of a lawyer. When questioned by Basil Cameron (a lawyer) if he has sought a legal opinion, Michael confirmed he has not. Undeterred bush lawyer Michael continues with his ‘legal opinion’ which would be considered ‘unsound’ in a court of law. But in the crony world it is meant to scare the ‘bejesus’ out of the masses.
A deep breath and Michael follows the rehearsed script as follows:
‘We do need to apply the letter of the law, but if they took this to court, I think they would win,’ says Michael (*the masses shudder in horror, the cronies wink and smile and touch the bulging $$$ in their undies).
Michael continues: ‘We have community expectations to uphold when it comes to our budget’ (but Michael, the rates in Byron are more than double those in Sydney… so, what does that mean??)
‘The Court does share the same approach as we do,’ continues Michael. ‘But you are not upholding the legal principles underpinning good governance,’ the masses respond.
Basil, Cate and Sarah did uphold good governance and were not impressed by Michael’s performance… but the developer got all that he wanted… and more… The market slipped into a silk nightie.
Remember this tale when the next Council election comes around folks.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
